Hello everyone! :) Here is chapter 17. Due to a request to having the last chapter longer, I've decided try and lengthen this one up as much as I could with the impending holiday. Speaking of Christmas, I have an announcement for you.
I, Tigress2929 has successfully updated all my open stories on fanfiction. So, Merry Christmas everybody! I have never done this before and man did it take some work, but it was worth it. I've also added a chapter to a story that I hadn't really thought that I'd ever add on to this year. Yup, a Childish Game has a little bonus chapter to it. Hope you all enjoy!
First things first, Thank You twostar, Ni Castle, littlemsstrawberry, GirlAtThePiano, 1Superman4Me, sling shot, and Have a Nice Dream for reviewing. I really and always shall, appreciate it guys.
Bruce's P.O.V
I silently watch her within the dark shadows of the hallway as she lounges at the table, reading the New York Times. Her hair is tucked behind her right ear, her eyes intently glued to the paper before her. Like always she is garbed in her famous Wonder Woman attire. The light streaming through the large windows reflects off of the golden plating and silver bracelets on her armor, making her seemingly glow all the more. Every second or so, she allows for herself to pause in her reading, just so that she may take a bite of her freshly toasted bagel, which is smeared with a strawberry, cream cheese spread.
I lean my shoulder against the wall and contemplate over what I should do. Pulling off my cowl I run a steady hand through my hair.
What will I say to her? How will she react?
Last night had not been a pretty preview. Although our conversation had started out fairly well, with me willing to talk, it had taken a turn for the worse. Yet one would have to wonder if this could still have a nice ending?
That's not the big question though. The question is whether or not, I have made up my mind in taking a chance. In risking the possibility of becoming happy and settling down with the woman of my dreams.
I pause at the idea of that being true.
Woman of my dreams?
I shake my head in an attempt to end the whirling thoughts running through my head, but still my mind does not quite.
Yes, the woman of my dreams.
I let out a sigh of defeat.
It's time that you stop running Bruce. No matter how much you try and deny it, these feeling will always be here. Just remember how unhappy you were to hear that Diana was dating Tom Tresser, or how angry you became when Clark... Oh yes, especially with Clark. But I've already admitted it to myself in the cave, haven't I? All I need to do now is... embrace it.
Closing my eyes and leaning my head against the wall, I think back to the evening before.
Flashback - Bruce's P.O.V
She looks at me with some uncertainty, but I can tell that she is more than willing to take me up on my offer. Slowly she sits and waits for me to speak. Twisting my chair around, I look up at her full in the face.
"Diana, I need you to know that whatever went on down in that cave cannot be brought up again. What happened, happened and there's nothing I can do to change that, but here and now... I need you to know that nothing can happen between us. Even if I did want to be with you I can't."
She opens her mouth to speak, but I raise my hand in a sign of silence and she allows for me to continue.
"You and I have had some past history. Granted, I ended it before it could start, but it is still there. When we were in that other universe, I could sense some emotions reemerging. The thing is, I can't afford to lose you. Whether it be by my doing, or someone else's. If I had kissed you, and then spurned you in the end, I would have lost you. Down in that deep cavern, when I had hallucinated, loosing you was the worst thing that had happened."
"Bruce, if you just would stop trying to push me away then you wouldn't have to live with fear of losing me."
"No Diana, we can never work and your the only one who can't see that. I can, and I'm only trying to protect you from getting hurt."
"Why won't you even try and let me in Bruce?"
"I have my reasons, if my enemies knew I had anyone special they wouldn't rest until they had gotten to me through her."
She raises a brow at me. "You know me Bruce, I can handle a lot more than what you think. How is it that this rule you keep restating, somehow pertains only to me but to no one else? What is so wrong with opening up Bruce?"
"I can't, no matter how much I want to, I just don't have the ability within me to do so. You've said it before, I am a troubled man, someone who is broken within."
"Yes Bruce. I cannot argue with you there, but there are times when broken things can get fixed."
"I can't be fixed!" I roar out. Why can't she understand this? Why won't she see what lies right in front of her? I had suspected that this is what she had come down here for. To talk about this with me, and my original intention was to snuff out whatever was brewing between us once again. Yet this conversation is taking a turn for the worse, I can feel it.
"I refuse to believe that." She throws back at me. Her eyes are hard and determined. "You have the resolve within you to do the impossible, to do what no other man can or will do, but here you are telling me that this is something you will now bow down to in submission? No Bruce. Night in and night out, you fight thugs who can overpower you easily, stare down the mightiest villains in history, leap off of towers and skyscraper but you can't do this? You need to take that jump Bruce." She extends a hand.. Her expression softens. "And I'm willing to take that leap with you, because deep down I know that we need each other."
I grit my teeth and look away. Emotions wildly surge through me. "Dang it Diana! You don't know how hard this is for me. It tears me to pieces to... to..." I'm gripping my arm rest tightly now, but I don't finish what I am about to say. I can't tell her, she may know, but I can't confirm it with words from my own mouth.
Finally, after a few seconds I look at her and extend my hand outward. Wrapping my fingers around hers, I lower her hand to her lap and draw back my own.
"We're done." I say roughly.
She becomes angry. "Why do I even need you? Why do I even try, if I already know that you wont in return? Huh? All this time you have pushed me aside. Discarded me. Treated me as if I had no feelings whatsoever. As if your actions in this matter wouldn't affect me in the slightest. It is as if though I am nothing to you but another Meta." She purses her mouth and crosses her arms over her chest.
"It took me some time to process what you had wanted, what you had asked me to do in the beginning, but I eventually came around to accepting it. Not because I wanted to give up in being with you, but because I respected you. I respected your self imposed mission, your life's work, your ambition. I respected what you were trying to do and I respected you enough to realize that, that, was what you truly wanted and I did try to move on. To bury those lingering feelings, to remain somewhat empty within, but I now know that I have failed in that department." She closes her eyes for a moment and breathes in deeply.
"Bruce you have taken so much from me, I don't know what else there is to give you." She steps closer with a look of defeat on her face.
"You know what happened with Tom don't you?" I set my jaw but don't respond.
"Don't you?" She repeats with more urgency and anger in her tone. Finally, I allow myself to nod in conformation. She closes her eyes briefly, and backs away while shaking her head in disbelief.
"You know that I have already been hurt, and your only succeeding in hurting me more. You say your trying to protect me, well I don't see it that way." Clenching her fists, she stares at me dead in the eye.
"What is it that you want now Bruce? Huh? Because frankly, I can't tell anymore. You have this uncanny ability to do the inevitable. You either push me away or pull me close... throw me out or hold me tight... let me in or lock me out. You have to choose what you really want to do. You cannot do both, because after so much tugging the rope is eventually going to snap Bruce, and then you won't be able to put those frayed ends back together again." She is now quite, waiting for me to speak, but unsurprisingly for her, I don't. Heaving out a sigh she turns her back to me and begins to walk away.
No... no! This is all wrong. I had been willing to talk in the beginning, but this is not where I had expected for it to end up. No matter what, I can't lose her like this. I will not allow for myself to let this rope to snap, because if I do... all will be lost.
"Diana!" I call out the very same moment that she has just approached the foot of the stairs. She stops and tilts her head to the side to show that she is at the moment listening to what I have to say.
"Stay." I clench my left fist. "Please...?" This is the second time this night that I have asked her to do something, but I do it with good cause.
With Superman's return to the Watchtower, it would make perfect sense for her to now reside within her usual quarters located up there, thus allowing for her to leave the manor. What I am asking her to do now could help my cause in saving the relationship that I do have with her or just further ruin it.
She rubs her forehead tiredly before answering.
"Bruce... I... I just can't. Not now, you can't do this to me now." She hovers off the ground and glides her way back up the stairs before slipping through the grandfather clock exit without another word.
I glance back at the computer screen, but I can't concentrate. After five minutes of glaring at the scattering mess of video footage and newspaper articles, I finally just pull my cowl off and toss it on the keyboard with a snarl. She's right. it's time that I stop pulling her strings and just tell her the truth, but can I find it within myself to do so?
End of Flashback
I had spent all of last night tossing and turning in my bed. I couldn't sleep, couldn't stop thinking about her and most of all I couldn't stop the aching feeling of hurt from pounding in tune with my heart. I began missing the sound of her breathing, the low murmurs that would escape from her mouth in her sedated state, but above all I missed feeling her presence within the room.
I'm not going to lie, the knowledge that Clark was with her set me on edge... it was only him and her. That Boy Scout always could do the right thing. Rarely did he ever get on Diana's bad side and even if he did, she would eventually forgive him with ease.
Snapping my eyes open, I look down at the medallion resting on my chest. Fingering it, I once again mull over what I must do.
Different scenes run through my mind. They are of her smiling at a group of small children, her determination and bravery shown in battle, her dedication and loyalty to her team members and fellow friends, her smell, her touch, her personality. It all comes rushing back to me full force and I finally reach a conclusion. Before her, there was nothing, but now if I were to lose her I wouldn't be able to fathom how life would be.
Straightening my shoulders, and placing my cowl back on, I step out of the darkness and enter the ring of light surrounding her. I glance down at Clark resting at her feet, dozing in the warmth of the sun's rays. She doesn't acknowledge my presence and instead continues with her routine of reading and eating.
"Diana." She raises her eyes to mine, but quickly lowers them back to her page.
"Bruce." She says in reply. I can feel Kent's suspicious eyes boring into my face, but I choose to ignore him.
"Diana, we need to talk." She takes another bite of her bagel and raises a delicate brow in question. Still she does not look back up at me again.
"Talk? Talk about what? I think that most of the important talking was done last night." She folds her paper and sets it in the table gently.
"The thing that I don't understand is, why did you asked me to stay there last night, because clearly what you said still stands. Unless you'd like to add something more to it?" Her eyes narrow at me and I can only nod my head.
"Yes in fact I do, but I'd prefer to talk to you alone and without an audience." I comment, gesturing to Kent who is intently listening in on our verbal exchange as it commences. Reaching down, she rubs Clark's head affectionately before taking a stand.
"Alright, lead the way Batman."
I reach forward and take her hand in my own. She stiffens in surprise, but I do not allow her time to question this action for I immediately begin leading her out of the Cafeteria.
I hope you know what you are doing Wayne. I really hope that you do.
Entering the viewing deck, I suddenly whip myself around and draw her in close. She lets out a small gasp of complete surprise and I can feel her heart beat speed up. No doubt that she was not expecting this turn of events at all.
I allow myself a small grin and rest my forehead against her own. Staring deep into her eyes, I begin to speak.
"Diana, I have been a complete and total idiot. I'm not saying that this will be easy, but I am ready to take that leap with you. If you are still willing that is. No matter how hard I tried last night to fight against what I am doing now, I just couldn't. Throughout the years, you have managed to occupy my mind twenty-four seven. Now, I know that this perhaps is a bit shocking to you..." She just nods her head slightly. "But I am willing to try. To risk doing the impossible. What do you say?"
She wraps her arms around my neck and stares at me diligently. "I say that we should take this slow. I think you would agree with me on that. I also know that you'd like to keep this as a secret, and I'm fine with that for now, but I want for this to work Bruce. I need to know that you will try. This cannot be a one sided relationship."
I look into her eyes deeply and decide that it would be best to answer her in a way that will not make her doubt my assurances of this decision. Slipping off my cowl once more, I grip her about the face and lean in close.
Kal's P.O.V.
I know that I should not be eavesdropping nor spying on them, but I can't help it. Last night she had seemed so heartbroken and weary. I comforted her the best I could, but I could still sense the feeling of distress weighing heavily on her heart. I immediately knew that it was his fault. I experienced such a burning anger that was most definitely directed toward him. Only he had the ability to inflict such emotions on a woman that, over the years, I have known to only execute personality traits of great strength in will and bravery. How could he live with himself when he knew that he did such things to her? Why could not choose and abide by a single decision? Could he not see that he was only succeeding in slowly pulling her apart?
Foreign images of another woman begins to drift through my mind, but despite my attempt to grasp unto them firmly, they only dissipate into a cloud of thick fog. Right here, and right now, my only concerns lies with her. I lower my head and prick my ears forward. Their murmurs and her stern remarks reach my ears, and then the inevitable happens.
He grabs her about the face and leans in for an intimate act. The definition of this act is not fully known to me, but I realize that what he has done signifies something very important. They have both crossed a line that cannot be removed.
A unknown swirling hurricane of emotions rise up within me. I should feel happy for her. I should be grateful that he has finally done what he should have done years ago, but I am not. Instead I feel a twinge of dissatisfaction and anger.
With a low growl, I begin to leave the area and head for my temporary room. I do not feel like celebrating this moment as I know that she would want to.
Last night I had stayed in her room, but I can sense that tonight... it will not be so.
One Week Later:
"Seems that Diana has gotten over her grudge with you. Man, you should have seen her that night she marched up to the training room and beat all those bots up. I felt worried for you."
"I know, I saw the footage. How about you? Still carrying anything?"
"What? With Shayera? No. We're cool. I took her out on a date a few days ago."
Batman just stares at Green Lantern.
"What? You didn't think we wouldn't get back together again after that incident in space? Did you?"
"You said it not me."
"You're trying to mess with me. Well it's not going to work."
"Uh huh" Batman grabs his cup of coffee and takes a drink.
"Anyway why are we always talking of my love life? What's going on between you and Diana?"
"Nothing. She's just a respected coworker." He replies evenly.
"Uh. Huh." He says with a doubtful tone.
"I don't have time to pursue a relationship. My work is too important to allow any distractions. Diana's a remarkable woman…
She's a valued friend…
She's …..
Standing right behind me isn't she?"
"Don't let that stop you, keep digging." She responds, draping an arm lazily across his shoulders.
Diana's P.O.V
Smiling, I take my arm off of Bruce's shoulders and pull out my chair in order to take a seat on the smooth, steel surface. Yet, before I can complete the action, I feel the telepathic presence of J'onn probing my mind, so that he may communicate with me silently.
"Diana? Are you busy at the moment?"
"No J'onn just eating. Is there something wrong?"
"Perhaps." He answers back. His reply is neutral and I can't particularly pinpoint the reason that would urge him to want to talk to me at the moment. About a dozen possible situations run through my head and I brace myself against the table with the use of my arms. Leaning slightly forward, my body instantly stiffens as I prepare myself for any type of emergency that he may relay to me. Glancing to my left briefly, I come to find that Bruce and John are too engrossed in their latest conversation to notice my sudden change of posture.
"Slow down Diana. Please. You have to remember that I can hear all your thoughts." He replies patiently. His request instantly places a stop to the jumble of thoughts circulating within my head.
"I'm sorry J'onn. Just the way a warrior thinks. Go ahead."
"The emergency isn't what you assume it to be." I frown outwardly, showing my sudden confusion to no one in particular.
"What is it then?" I ask, slightly tilting my head to the side and cocking my hip.
I can vaguely hear someone let loose a wolf whistle in the background. At that Batman suddenly whips his head around, dangerously narrowing his eyes as he scans the crowd for the unfortunate victim.
I smirk as I hear the sound of a hand smacking the backside of a solid head. This causes for a loud "Ow!" to echo throughout the room, along with a "Man! What'd you do that for?"
The stretch of silence informs me that "he", whoever he is, has caught sight of Batman glaring at him. Only a rookie would dare make a mistake such as that. Especially when it involves a very powerful Amazon, and a certain Dark Knight of Gotham.
Bruce, deciding that the poor soul got what he deserved, turns his attention back to me.
"Diana….?" He tries to grab my attention, but only succeeds in interrupting me. I quickly cut him off by lifting my hand and extending my palm outward in a stop motion. He understands and silence ensues.
J'onn continues.
"Ever since this return to the Watchtower, I have sensed that something is troubling Clark. I would like for him to have some company, preferably someone who can talk with him and help relieve whatever burden it is that he carrying. He wishes to be in a less crowded area which is the exact opposite location of the cafeteria."
"Is everything alright J'onn?" I ask worriedly, biting the bottom of my lip.
He releases a mental sigh.
"He has been going through a lot lately Diana. Emotionally and personally. Even The Man of Steel can have his limits and needs a friend to just listen."
"Where is he?"
"Right now he is on his way to the cafeteria. I hope you don't mind, but I already told him that you had agreed to speak with him. He will be there shortly."
"It was just as if you could read my mind." He lets out a little chuckle at my latest attempt at humor. Granted, it still needs a lot of work. "Of course I'll go with him. He's my friend, he would do no less for me."
"Thank you Diana."
"No, thank you J'onn for letting this be known to me." I reply while inclining my head slightly forward. With that he severs the link, allowing for my attention to return to my current surroundings.
Soon I refocus on Batman and Green Lantern, who are at the moment looking at me quizzically. Well, at least Green Lantern is. Bruce just looks like his normal stoic self.
Pushing against the table lightly, I straighten myself up and grab a hold of my tray once again. Green Lantern cocks an eyebrow. "Leaving so soon?"
I nod feeling guilty since I was supposed to do something with Bruce and Green Lantern after lunch.
"Change of lunch plans, I'm meeting up with Kal."
"And this sudden change of occurrence was the reason you were spaced out for a moment just now?"
I nod my head.
"Yes, J'onn was relaying a request."
Green Lantern nods in understanding. Almost everybody -as the League founders of course- communicate with each other through the Martian Man hunter's mental link.
The comm. links were good to have but it was always great to have a telepathic on our team.
Then out of the corner of my eye I see a flash of blue and red. I turn in time to see Superman just striding through the sliding steel doors.
I watch as his eyes quickly scan the crowd. As soon as his eyes find my own, he gives me a small smile that is soon followed by a little wave.
I smile in return; a glowing sensation overwhelms me at the thought of me alone being responsible for the sudden spark of joy in his eyes that was not too long ago so sad.
Quickly I turn my line of vision toward Batman who is still sitting stock still in his chair.
"I'll catch up with you later Batman? I know that I wanted you to take a look... at my Jet."
He simply nods curtly, a small frown beginning to break out on his lips.
I turn to G.L.
"I'll catch up with you later on those mission reports GL. Maybe tomorrow?"
"Sounds good to me Diana." I smile at him gratefully.
"Bye." I give them a little wave over my shoulder.
"Bye Diana, enjoy." Of course it's no surprise that John is the only one to respond.
Batman's P.O.V
I watch as Wonder Woman and Superman exit the area, arms brushing slightly as they walk side by side, talking low.
"Wonder where they're off to." Green Lantern muses out loud. Since I'm not paying that much attention to him though, he ends up talking to himself. Still I manage to let out a small grunt in reply.
"Then again it makes sense." He continues with a thoughtful expression.
This catches my attention and I turn toward him, quirking an eyebrow as a sign of wanting to know more. John catches on immediately and wisely decides to not keep me waiting.
"I mean, the poor guy was just dumped by the woman he adores right after almost dying himself." I steeple my fingers and mull over this. I had figured as much that night we, three had gone on that mission. It wasnt too long when comformation of it being true spread through the watchtower's social circles. John continues to talk. "He needs someone to talk to that he's close with and that gets him. Diana happens to be that person at the moment, and to come to think of it... all the time. Besides he can use all the cheering up he can get, even if it is by a lethal Amazon Warrior."
Smirking at the very thought he ends the conversation by resuming his eating.
My appetite is suddenly gone and I push my tray slightly away from me.
No matter how hard I try not to, my line of vision returns to the steel doors.
I shouldn't be bothered by this but I can sense that there is something that's going to happen involving Superman.
He may seem unbothered by the recent events that occurred with Diana and I, but I can tell that it's only an act. He has only managed to wear another mask for all the world to see.
Kal's P.O.V
Sighing I close my eyes and just try to forget the flood of implanted memories that rush through my head. To forget her... Her face... Her eyes... Her smile... I try to forget everything. As a tiger I can, as a human I can't. Perhaps staying as a tiger isn't so bad, at least then these feelings would go away... Only to be replaced with stronger emotions when it came to Bruce and Di. There was no way to truly win. In either form, something was the cuase I of my internal conflict. Diana's voice breaks me out if my reverie.
"How are you doing Kal?" She questions. Her voice reminds me of that day she found me looking forlorn in her quarters before we were transferred to Bruce's mansion. I can clearly remember how her hands felt, her warmth and her scent.
I open my mouth to assure her that everything is fine. That I am alright even though I know that deep down I am not. As if sensing my thoughts, she quickly interrupts me before I can do so.
"No Kal. I want to know how you are really doing." I turn to look at her and find that her startling blue eyes are already locked unto my own. Searching her face, I don't find pity, or sadness. Instead I find genuine concern, determination and understanding being openly expressed by her. The face of a true, dear friend.
My shoulders slump forward and my fists loosen. Sensing my sudden change in attitude, she steps forward and places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. The gesture itself seems to return strength to my limbs and I know, without a doubt that I can confide in her. That with her help I will have the strength to move through all of this... this... confusion... anguish... hurt... pain... and loss.
Slowly I begin to tell her the whole story. The arguments that had been going on for months after that fight with Darksied. How she would become angry and spiteful for every long term mission that I would have to do.
These are things that I could not verbally express while being a tiger. Although, once in my other form all these problems slowly seem to fade away and became forgotten. Once again I question if perhaps it is better to have it stay that way?
Slowly she takes my chin in her fingers and forces my eyes to gaze into her own. I know what she is going to ask and I dread answering her.
"Kal?" She asks tentatively. "Have you gone to see Lois at all since you've returned to the Watchtower?"
I instantly stiffen and pull away form her presence. Her arm falls down from my chin with a dull thud as her bracelet clangs against her armor.
"Yes." I say tightly before walking briskly to the large windows over looking earth and placing distance between us. I can feel the air shift as she hovers over next to me once again.
"What happened?" She asks lowly. I glare at the stars, not wanting to speak, but her openness to this situation prompts me to start talking.
"I visited her at the Daily Planet five days ago. After she agreed to talk to me, I carried her to a quite place at the Central Park in order to have some privacy." I look at Diana now.
"When I said that I was sorry for making her feel like I was leaving her alone, and abandoning her she began to get teary eyed. I tried to comfort her, but she just started to back away and shake her head no." The compassion in Diana's eyes is almost too much for me to bear at the moment and once again my gaze travels to the floor.
"I continued apologizing to her, asking for a second chance to try and make things right again. The way it used to be before all of this had happened. Do you know what she said? She said 'Stop it Clark. I don't want to hear this. You and me, we are over and that's final.' When I asked her why, she answered saying that she couldn't handle the stress that came with being together anymore. The worrying... the waiting... not knowing when or if I would return to her." I stop.
"What else happened Kal?" She asks, prompting for me to continue. I don't want to continue but Di has a certain way about her that makes a person want to spill their guts right then and there. I take a deep breath.
"She told me that... that a week or so before I had disappeared for this latest mission she had secretly been seeing someone else already, before we had officially broken up."
Diana's eyes narrow to slits while flashing with anger. Her lips thin in a tight line at the news. I can understand why she would feel this way. That night I had stayed with her in her room for the last time, she herself confessed what had happened with Tom Tresser. Oh how my blood boiled that night. I wonder how she will take the rest of the news.
"That's not all. She also told me that she was... pregnant and that other man was... Is the father." She stares at me in shock.
"You're absolutely sure? She wasn't just trying to hurt you with that statement?"
"Yes I'm sure, she allowed for me to scan her and I saw the fetus growing within her belly." I turn away and grip the frame of the window, gazing outside.
Diana's P.O.V
I look at him sideways and study his face. At first glance he looks his usual composed self, but after further examination you can see the haggard lines that are etched across his forehead...
The way his hair is slightly pulled in different directions...
The dark circles under his eyes...
His eyes…
They are what have changed the most.
They are no longer the cheerful, open, honest blue eyes that I have grown to know since my first day in man's world.
No.
These eyes are filled with that of grief, pain, and guilt.
My fists clench in anger at the very thought of what Louis has done in order to make Kal feel, and look this way.
I want to reach out to him and just hold him, but I know that I can't and that I won't. He has to let me comfort him on his own accord, not mine. So far he has opened up to me, but I know that there is more to this process than what has already occurred. A beep in my ear diverts my attention. Quickly I apply a slight amount of pressure on my comm. Link.
"Wonder Woman here." I say subconsciously.
J'onn's voice filters clearly through the link.
"Diana, you and Superman are needed in the southern regions of Thailand were a large earthquake has just struck."
"We're on our way J'onn. Wonder Woman out."
I look toward Kal and find him nodding in understanding. It's one of the perks of super hearing. In no time we have reached the transporters. Pressing the red button, a swirl of neon blue lights whirl around both of our bodies. Just before everything fades away though, the ominous sound of a chuckle reaches my ears, and I know...
That she is nearby. Watching and waiting for what she knows is to come.
Until next time... I hope you enjoyed this chapter and all the others! :D
